Ruth Her

When I first meet a client, I like to spend some time on important disclosures about therapy, the pros/cons of therapy, intake paperwork, ensuring there is a clear understanding about what to expect, and most importantly, goal setting. Feedback from past/recent clients I've worked with shared, "I made them feel comfortable" in therapy, my honesty/transparency, goal focus, and making therapy sessions about them and not taking over therapy sessions about what I feel they need to work towards. Clients expressed they were happy to find a therapist who listened and understood their problems. Clients enjoyed that I was professional, and I only self-disclosed when appropriate for the session.

My approach toward helping is by first listening and taking a holistic view of the client. Success is best accomplished by starting where the person is emotionally and psychologically. Establishing a foundation from which the pillars of a strong treatment plan can be built is critical. I will not force a person to immediately talk about the deep-rooted problem they might be facing. I focus on understanding the layers of challenges a patient struggles with, recognizing that each layer may be deeply impacting the next. Through an unrushed process, I work through and analyze the patient's view of the world and their adversities. I create a welcoming environment to facilitate difficult conversations, safe spaces to jointly explore options for pathways forward, and develop plans based upon the individual's assessed needs, resources, support network, and established best practices in mental health and well-being

Clients can expect a supportive space that encourages openness and comfort, helping them begin the process of identifying their reasons for seeking therapy and clarifying their goals.